You shared a piece of who you are with everyone in that room
A piece they could understand, empathize with
So that they could learn from that piece
And add it to their collection

And it felt great to share it
And it will feel great a year from now or maybe two
When gratitude finds it way back to you
For the meaning they were able to place on that piece you gave
But the moment you leave the room
You can feel that it’s missing

And you realize
Far too late
That the architecture of your identity is no longer structurally sound
Because you gave away too many pieces
And you didn’t take anyone else’s in return